Match-machine



Patented sept. 27, |898.`

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(No Model.)

WITNESSES No. 6||,524. l Patented Sept. 27, |898.

T. STEBER. MATCH MACHINE.

v(Applis'zxaion filed Nov` 13, 1897.) (No Model.) a sheets-sheet 2.

xNvENToH I /az gw-fs Patented sept. 27, |898.

No. sn,524.

B. T. STEBER. MATCH MACHINE.

(Application filed Nov. 1 3, 1897.)

(No Model.)

3*,Sheets-Sh1eet 3.

IVENTOR .f

WITNESSES BERNARD T. 'STEBER, OF UTIOA, NEW YORK.

MATCH-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 611,524, dated September 27, 1898.

Application filed November 13, 1897. Serial No. 658,415. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, BERNARD T. STEBER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Utica, in the county` of Oneida and State of ANew York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Match-Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements'in match -machines,' and more particularly to that class of machines which are provided with cutters and adapted to cut match-splints from blocks of wood and deposit the same in carriers suitably constructed to receive the same.

The object of my invention is to provide such a machine with means for preventing the match-splints from slipping in the cutter when they are being forced into the carrierchain.

It consists in providing a pivotally-mounted abutment-block adapted to swing outwardly beneath the match-splints in the cutter-head7 whereby the splints are prevented from slipping when they are being forced into the carrier-chain.

It also consists in a carrier-chain provided with slats or plates having match-receiving openings cut into its opposite edges and links for connecting the same to form the chain.

It also consists in certain other novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawin gs,Figu re 1 represents a vertical longitudinal section through a match-machine having a cutter provided with my improved abutment-block. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the same,showing the splints as j ust being deposited in the carrier. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view similar to Fig. 2,but showing the cutter in the act of cutting a row of splints and the abutment-block held back out of the way during the operation. Fig. 4 represents a detail View showing my improved abutment-block applied upon a slightly-different form of machineand showing a spring interposed between the cutter-head and a projection on the abutment-block below its pivotal point. Fig. 5 represents a detail top plan view of my improved abutment-lolock. Fig. represents a detail view showing the abutment-block and Fig. 8 represents a detail View showing cams for pushing the abutment-block back and gearing for actuating the same. Fig. 9 represents'a side elevation of the same. Fig. 10

p represents a top plan view of a portion of my improved carrier-chain7 and Fig. 11 representsa detail View of a 'separate member of the same. v e

A in the drawings represents my improved abutment-block, and B a cutter for trimming the edge of the block of wood after each cut. C represents a cutter for cutting splints, and C" the cutter-head for carrying the same. In cutting splints for matches in machines which use a reciprocating cutter adapted to operate upon blocks of wood fed to the same and to carry the splints thus cut to a carrierchain and force them into the same it has been found advantageous and sometimes necessary to provide a means which shall automatically support the said splints in the cutter when theyyare being forced into the said carrier-chain. This is equally applicable to carrier-chains which are formed of plates or slats having merely apertures formed therein to receive the ends of the splints or whether the carrier-chain is composed of slats which are adapted to be separated for receiving the match-splints and retain the same between them by means of spring-pressure.

In carrying out my invention I employ an abutment-block,l as A, which is preferably pivotally mounted tothe cutter-head, as at a, a suitable distance below the cutter, sufficient space being left beneath the cutter for the abutment-block to rock back out of the way when the cutter is operai-in g upon the block of wood. As illustrated in Figs. l, 6, and 7 of the drawings, the abutment-block is 'preferably adapted to be forced outwardly upon its pivotal point by means of a spring a', secured to the cu ttor-head and engaging the upper portion of the abutment-block. It will be seen that by this construction when the cutter is free from the blocks of wood upon which it is IOO journal projections d d'.

operating the abutment-block will normally project beneath the same,and thereby support the match-splints in it. In order to return the abutment-block to a position where it will not obstruct the cutter as it engages the blocks of wood, I preferably mount cam plates or bars, as a2, upon the match-machine at such a point that they will engage the abutment-block just before the cutter strikes the block of wood to be operated upon and force the abutment-block back out of the way. I also contemplate using a knife or cutting edge, as B, secured to the cutter-head C' immediately below the abutment-block A to trim the block of wood upon the descent of the cutterhead. While I contemplate using a spring to force the abutment-block out and a camsurface to return it to its position, yet it will be apparent that the abutment-block may be so mounted upon the cutter-head that it will fall forward' beneath the row of splints by the action of gravity and will be knocked back into position out of the way by engaging the block of wood to be operated upon. Such an action of the abutment-block may be readily secured by mounting the same upon a slight angle, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings. The preponderance of weight will then be to one side of the pivotal point in the abutment-block and it will always be prone to fall forward when not held back by the block of wood in the machine.

It will be apparent that an abutment-block pivoted to the cutter-head below the overhanging cutter and a little to one side of the line of cut will, when thrown forward beneath the ends of the splints for supporting the same, throw the strain or weight of the splints almost directly upon the pivotal point of the abutment-block. In an abutment-block of this character it will of course be apparent that no guideways are needed for directing this movement.

While I contemplate using my improved abutment-block with machines employing different kinds of carrier-chains, yet I prefer to use a chain constructed in the manner illustrated in Figs. l0 and 1l. In this form of chainIemployslats D, formed with matchreceiving openings d let into the opposite edges thereof. These openings are preferably made fiaring on their lower edges to better receive the ends of the match-splints. The slats are provided on each end with two These journal projections are adapted to receive links, as d2 d2, whereby the slats are connected up to form the chain. The outer ends of the journal projections d d are adapted to rest upon the guideways in the machine and support the chain in its travel.

Although I prefer to use a chain formed of slats constructed as just described, still I contemplate using my abutment-block upon machines employing other kinds of chains.

As shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, I have illustrated my invention applied to a machine having a chain, as E, composed of slats, as ee, which are adapted to be spread apart to receive the splints upon the reciprocation of the cutter. As also illustrated in this iigure, the abutment-block may be pivoted to the cutter-h ead upon the outer surface thereof, as atf, and may be provided with a downwardly extending projection f', between which andthe surface of the cutter-head may be interposed a spring, as f2, which normally tends to hold the abutment-block beneath the row of splints. In this form of abutmentblock I prefer to allow the block of wood being acted upon by the cutter to force the abutment-block F back out of the way upon the descent of the cutter. In this style of machine I also prefer to employ a base-plate, as G, for supporting the blocks of wood, which shall be provided at its forward end with a series of projections, as g, forming between them a series of slots through which a series of supporting fingers or projections f3 f3, formed upon the abutment-block F, may

pass upon the descent of the cutter-head.

By this construction the block of wood may be fully supported during the cutting operation, and yet the abutment-block may be 9 free to act below the same. In this connection it may be necessary to provide a means for keeping the openings or slots between the projections g clear of shavings or other obstructions, and for this purpose I mount a series of cutters or knives, as f4, adapted to pass through these slots upon the reciprocation of the cutter and clear them of any obstruction.

In the place of using stationary means for returning the abutment-block to its folded position, as heretofore described, movable means may be used for the same purpose, as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings. As seen in said figures cam-rollers I are employed which are mounted on opposite sides of the machine in suitable bearings, said camrollers bein'g adapted to have an oscillating movement by providing the shafts of the said cams I with bevel-gears, as t' t, adapted to mesh with corresponding bevel-gears, as t" t", mounted upon a suitable shaft i'n t-he machine. Motion may be communicated to the said gears c" c" from any of the moving parts of the match-machine, as may be found convenient.

In the drawings I show still another way in which the abutment-block may be moved back and forth. In this adaptation of my invention the abutment-block J may be provided at each end with a rack, as j, adapted to engage a link and vertical pinion, as j. These pinions are mounted on either side of the machine and made of sufficient length to engage the racks j the entire length of the stroke of the cutter-head and are adapted to be rocked lor revolved in any suitable manner to move the abutment-block J in or out at the desired time.

IIO

As illustrated in the drawings, the lower ends of the shafts of the pinions j may be provided with arms, as j2, which are connected by means of a link j. The said link may be reciprocated by any suitable means-as, for instance, a closed cam similar to that illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings.

As illustrated in thedrawings, instead of employing a pivoted abutment-block a sliding abutment-block, as K, may be mounted in the cutter-head and provided with racks, as k, at its outer ends. These racks may be operated by means of pinions similar to the pinions j j shown in the drawings. It will be apparent that this sliding abutment-block K will be moved in and out in the same manner in which the pivoted abutment-blocks above described operate.

While the cutter as described and shown is arranged in such a Way as to move vertically and to bring the cutter-head so as to permit of the abutment-block being pivoted below the cutter and a little to one side of the line of cut, it will be apparent that these parts would operate in the same manner if the cutter was arranged to move horizontally or in any other direction. For the sakeof simplicity in describing and claiming this mechanism the parts have been referred to as moving vertically.

Having now described my-invention, what I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent isl. In a matchmachine, the combination with a cutter-head, of an abutment-block pivoted upon the said cutter-head, and adapted to rock into and out of the line of cut, substantially as described.

2. In a match-machine, the combination with a cutter-head, of a rocking abutmentblock, pivoted upon the said cutter-head, and means for rocking the said abutment-block into and out of the line of cut, substantially as described.

3. In a match-machine, the combination with a cutter, of a rocking abutment-block pivoted near the line of cut and adapted to have one of its edges fall or drop opposite the ends of the match-splints, substantially as described.

4. In a match-machine, the combination with a cutter-head, of an abutment-block pivoted thereon, and springs for pushing the free edge of the said block into the line of cut, substantially as described.

5. In a match-machine, the combination with a cutter, of a rocking abutment-block pivoted near the line of cut, and means for rocking the said block into and out of the line of the cut, substantially as described.

6. In a match-machine, the combination with a cutter, of a rocking abutment-block pivoted near the line of cut, means for rocking the said block into the line of cut, and a cam-surface for forcing it back again, substantially as described.

7. In a match-machine, the combination with an overhanging cutter, of a rocking abutment-block pivoted near the line of cut, and adapted to be moved into and out of the line of cut, and a knife-edge below the said abutment-block for trimming the shavings from the block of wood operated upon, substantially as described.

8. In a match-machine, the combination with an overhanging cutter, of a rocking abutment-block pivoted near the line of cut, and'adapted to be moved beneath the matchsplints for supporting them, and rotating cams to push it back again, substantially as described.

9. In a match-machine, the combination with a cutter, of a rocking abutment-block pivoted upon the cutter-head, means for forcing the abutment-block outwardly beneath the cutter,.and a cam-surface for forcing it back again, substantially asdescribed.

10. In a match-machine, the combination with a suitable cutter-head, of a rocking abutment-block pivoted thereon, and provided with a series of supporting prongs or projections, and means for bringing the said projections into the line of cut for supporting the match-splints, substantially as described.

11. In a match-machine, the combination with a suitable cutter-head, of an overhanging cutter carried thereby, a rocking abutment-block pivoted upon the said cutter-head l near the line of cut and below the said cutter, a projection formed upon the said abutment-block beneath the pivotal point thereof, and a spring interposed between the said projection and the cutter-head for forcing the said abutment-block forward, substantially as described.

l2. In a match-machine, 'the combination with a cutter-head of a rocking abutmentblock pivoted near the line of cut but below the range of the cutter so that it may rock from a position slightly back of said line forward to intercept such line, substantially as described.

13. In a match-machine, the combination with a cross-head, of an overhanging cutter mounted thereon, a rocking abutment-block pivoted upon the said cutter-head near the line of cut and adapted to be moved into and out of said line of cut, the construction being such that when the said abutment-block is rocked into the line of cut, the splints in the cutter will be supported thereby, the strain upon the abutment-block being almost directly against the pivotal point thereof, substantially as described. i

14. In a match-machine, the combination with means for cutting match-splints, of a carrier-chain for receiving them, the said lcarrier-chain comprising slats having a series of IOO IIO

IIS

match-receiving apertures cut into their opthat the matches will be retained in the aperother means, links for connecting the said 10' tures Without additional holding means, subslats, said slats forming themselves links. of stantially as described. the chain, substantially as described.

l5. In a match-machine7 the combination In testimony whereof I hereunto afiiX my 5 With a Cutter for cutting match-splints, of a signature in presence of two Witnesses.

" carrier-chain for receiving the same, eompris- BERNARD T. STEBER.

ing a series of slats having apertures let into Vitnesses: their opposite edges, said apertures being HENRY A. STEBER,

adapted to receive and hold matches Without WILLIE P. SMITH. 

